Courtesy of the excavators

The remains of an impressive temple stand on a hilltop at Omrit, in northern Galilee. Five years ago they lay covered by soot and ash from a wildfire. When co-authors Andrew Overman and Jack Olive visited Omrit for the first time, they were immediately intrigued by the ornate architectural fragments that were easily visible at the site. Four excavation seasons have uncovered two large and elaborate Roman-era temples—one built on top of the other. They believe the first temple, which dates to the late first century B.C.E., was built by King Herod and dedicated to the emperor Augustus; it was one of three such temples to the emperor (called Augusteums) built in Israel by Herod.